Death Wobble
Question: I am considering lifting my '00 Cherokee XJ 2-3 inches to clear 31-inch tires for mild off-roading. Since it's my daily driver I am very concerned about the "death wobble" and not being able to cruise down the highway at 65 mph. With all of the lift kits being sold, is this really that big of an issue, or are there many off-road shops and weekend wrenchers putting these kits on wrong?
Name withheld
Richmond, VA
Answer: Death wobble is not a by-product of installing a lift kit, but rather due to worn steering, suspension, or tires, and installing a suspension kit can magnify this problem. When installing a suspension kit it is important to verify that all the bushings, steering rod ends, and hardware is in good condition. If you are lifting a high-mileage truck, you may want to replace those components when you lift it. Also some kits come with a drop bracket that reuses the track bar (also known as the Panhard bar). It has been our experience that going with a kit that replaces the track bar is better than using the drop bracket.
Buried Treasure Toy
Question: I just came from my wife's family reunion at a Northern Minnesota resort. As I pulled into this resort area I noticed a small white truck pushed back into the woods. I thought it was one of those little two-wheel-drive Ford jobbies. However, it was an old Toyota that was being used for storage of this and that by humans and nature's creatures. I checked it over a bit and to my joy I saw a solid axle, and the motor was still in it. What years did Toyota put solid axles on the front end of their little rigs, were they decent, and would you suggest pulling this wreck out of the bushes and putting it back into working order for a thrashing machine?
B. Smith
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Toyota stopped offering the solid-front-axle 4x4s in 1985, and they were first offered in the U.S. around 1979. I would say drag it out and get it wheeling, though rust will probably be your biggest issue to deal with. The Toyota four-cylinder engines usually run forever, and the axles, though small, can take a lot of abuse and can be built to handle up to 37-inch tires. Get on that prize and send us photos when you've got it on the trail.
I Wanna Little Smoker
Question: I was going through your Apr. '07 issue and came across the '48 Willys CJ-2A with the SD-33T turbodiesel, and I was wondering if it would be at all possible to put that engine in my '87 Jeep Wrangler. I looked at the specs online and I was just fine with the slight drop in horsepower, because from what I read, it gets better mileage than my 4.2L six shooter. I am willing to do all the work at my house. All I need to know is if it is possible, will I have to modify anything to an extreme amount, how much will it cost, and where can I get the engine?
Vinny
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: The diesel you are talking about is the Nissan SD-33T turbodiesel, and yes, it will fit in an '87 Jeep Wrangler. In fact, it was even offered in some Jeeps, though not for sale in the U.S. This diesel was found in some International Scouts as well as the unusual Jeep CJ-10 airplane tugs where they were followed by a TorqueFlite 727. You can find them on the Internet at times on sites like eBay and Government Liquidation (govliquidation.com). Also check with Scout parts houses for a line on these engines. You may still be fabricating engine and transmission mounts as well as fitting a bigger radiator. As for cost, that depends on where you find the engine, but I think your stock axles will be just fine, though you might want to get the transmission and transfer case that come with the engine.